Do you spend hours scrolling through Pinterest wishing your home could look and feel like those photos you love so much? If you’re anything like me, you’ve got hundreds of interior design photos saved. Like me, you may have also found yourself frustrated when despite your best efforts, something just feels off in your space. I have spent years trying and missing the mark when it comes to decorating, so if this is you too, then welcome, you are among friends! With all this practice I have learned a few tips that have helped me get it a little more right and actually love the spaces in my home. These are my 5 simple tips for better decorating, with images of how I have applied these tips in my own home:

Scale and Proportion. Having a general understanding of how to use scale and proportion in your decorating can help you better select furniture and accessories for your space.

Scale. Scale is about considering the relationship between the size of an object and the size of the room itself. Having furniture that is too large for a space, or art that is too small for a wall makes the space feel off almost immediately. When selecting furniture, consider the size, shape, and height of your space. A large wide room with higher ceilings for example, is better suited for large, bulkier furniture like an oversized sectional or large armoire, whereas a smaller room with lower ceilings is more suited for smaller, shorter furniture.

Proportion. Proportion is about how objects relate to one another in the space. When I think of proportion, the example that comes to mind first is wall decor. When hanging wall decor, the width of decor should be about two-thirds the width of the piece of furniture below. The same guide can be applied to furniture. For example, a bench at the end of the bed should be about two-thirds the width of the bed itself. Thinking of a space in thirds can be a great starting point to help with getting proportion correct, and making the space feel balanced.

2. Square it off. I spent years decorating surfaces the same way. I would look at a surface straight on, for example a fireplace mantle or console table, and hang my wall decor in the middle and then decorate on the far end of either side of the piece of furniture, turning my decor inward toward the center. Or I would place two objects side by side on a bookshelf and then turn them in toward each other. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but I’ve learned I don’t love this look. Instead, try squaring off your decor, rather than turning it inward toward the center. You can also layer your arrangement slightly in front of whatever you have hanging on the wall behind (see photo).

>> Find out more about my shelf styling tips <<

3. Layers. Layers. Layers. I love the cozy feel that layers give a space. There are so many ways you can use layers to decorate. Rugs, throw pillows, and curtains are all ways to add layers and soften the look of your space. However, you can also use layers when decorating a bookshelf or fireplace mantle. To achieve a layered look, consider grouping some accessories together (see image above in tip #2), rather than spacing them out evenly across the same plane. You can also adjust the placement of your decor, bringing some items into the foreground and pushing others into the background.

4.Variety. Having a variety of decor creates visual interest and is key to a well decorated home. The corresponding photo contains decorative accessories from my own home. Some of my favorite items to decorate with are books. For me, they are the secret sauce. They bring in subtle color when needed and can add that little bit of lift you may need to create variations in height for an arrangement. As you’re looking at your decor, what do you tend to decorate with most? Candles, vases, bowls, photo frames, figurines? Whatever your go-to accessories are for decorating, consider how you can bring in more variety to add more interest. This is especially important with pieces that hold lots of decor, like bookshelves.

Looking for the perfect antique or vintage accent to add some variety? Check out the online shop to browse my collection of classic pieces for collected interiors:

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Silverplated Hammered Stag Pedestal Bowl

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Original Vintage Oil Painting of Moody Snow Scene, Signed

Solid Brass 10-Point Stag Mount on Wood Plaque

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5. Plants/stems. Love them or hate them, you really do need them! Rather you prefer real potted houseplants or just a few faux stems in a vase, plants and stems are absolutely essential to a well decorated home. Plants bring movement and life to a space. I like to use plants to soften harsh edges, add color, and give a layered arrangement a more organic feel. Regardless of what types of plants you prefer, challenge yourself to consider how you can bring a few of them into your own space.

Find out my tips for selecting realistic florals/stems for your home. Or, visit the online shop to browse my collection of vintage vessels, perfect to pair with your favorite florals/stems for an elevated look.

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